Sony Support

Article ID : SX900804 / Last Modified : 12/11/2024Print

How can I quickly launch the camera from the lock screen? (Android 9 or Higher)

Is there a fast way to take a photo? / How can I quickly open the camera? / How can I take a picture without having to unlock my screen first? / How can I take a photo from the lock screen with the camera key? / How can I fast activate the camera from the lock screen? / Can I open the camera with the power button?

    Valid for

    • Android 9 or higher

    Solution

    Note: In the premium model of the following products, the Camera app function has been merged into Photography Pro basic mode.
    (Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III, Xperia PRO-I, Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 1 V and Xperia 5 V)

    Overview of ways to quickly launch the camera from the lock screen

    • Press the camera key
    • Swipe or touch and hold the camera icon from the lock screen.
    • Press the power key twice.
    • Smart launch (Xperia 1, Xperia 5 and Xperia XZ3): Swiftly lift your device in landscape mode and aim the camera towards an object. For more info, check out the article What is Smart launch?

    To launch the camera by pressing the camera key

    If your device has a dedicated camera key, you can use it to quickly launch the camera. This feature is activated by default.

    • When the screen is in sleep mode or from the lock screen, press and hold down the camera key until the camera launches.

    You can adjust this feature so that the camera will both launch and capture a picture, or turn the feature off, by going into Camera > Settings > Launch with camera key.

    To launch the camera by swiping or touch and hold the camera icon

    1. To activate the screen, briefly press the power key. 
    2. To launch the camera, swipe the camera icon upwards. 

    Note: For the following products, to launch the camera, touch and hold (Camera icon) from the lock screen.
               (Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 1 V, Xperia 10 V and Xperia 5V, Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI)

    To launch the camera by pressing the power key twice

    Android 12 or higher

    1. Find and tap Settings → System → Gestures → Quickly open camera / Jump to camera.
    2. When the screen is in sleep mode or from the lock screen, press the power key twice.

    Android 9, 10 and 11

    1. Find and tap Settings → System →  (Gestures) →  Power key behavior →  Launch camera. 
    2. When the screen is in sleep mode or from the lock screen, press the power key twice.